Saint Mark’s Church

Hours	Monday to Saturday, 9:30 am to 5 pm
Price	Basilica – Free, Pala d’Oro – 1.50 euro
Phone	0415225205

The resting place of Saint Mark has been transformed many times throughout the ages. As it stands now, St. Mark’s Church is exemplary of Byzantine architecture, and the result of constant creation and restoration. The original St. Mark’s Church was created as a shrine to the remains of the Saint, but burned down in the 10th century. By the early 11th century, a new church had been constructed with the help of Byzantine architects. Throughout the centuries, the church has preserved its Byzantine characteristics, but also included certain Gothic influences. From the outside, the dramatic golden façade, with its five arches displaying five mosaics, is a preview of the grandeur that awaits you inside. The layout is in the form of a Greek cross with five domes evenly placed, with one in the center and one on each of the four arms. Inside, the church holds one of the most precious pieces of religious decor, the Pala d’Oro, or Golden Altarpiece. The painting is composed of silver and gold and is decorated with thousands of gems, such as pearls, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires. Mosaics, whose golden backgrounds illuminate the religious figures they represent, cover the interiors of the domes. While the domes and the Pala d’Oro command much attention, other aspects of the Church are worthy of just as much praise. A fusion of Eastern and Western influences, Saint Mark’s Church conveys the best of both worlds.